Former New York Yankees broadcaster John Sterling, whose voice and passionate style marked his legacy, has died. He was 87 years old.
WASHINGTON — John Sterling, a beloved figure in sports whose voice illustrated broadcasts of the New York Yankees, has died. He was 87 years old.
Sterling’s career spanned more than six decades and covered several teams, including the Atlanta Braves and Hawks, the New York Nets and Islanders, and the Baltimore Bullets.
He underwent heart bypass surgery this winter and was attended by health care aides at his home in Edgewater, New Jersey, after the procedure.
Major League Baseball said it was saddened by the news of his death and memorialized his legacy.
“Through his unique style and passionate play-by-play calls, Sterling endeared himself to generations of players and fans as radio voice of the Yankees from 1989 to 2024,” the MLB wrote. “His signature punctuation of Yankees victories included calling the final out of five World Series championships.”
During his time with the Yankees, he called more than 5,000 games across 36 seasons. He was hailed for his “unapologetic and boisterous style” when he retired in 2024, which included puns and playful twists on player names.
WFAN, the New York sports radio station where Sterling long called games, announced Sterling’s passing.
“We are devastated to hear about the passing of John Sterling, a WFAN and Yankees radio icon whose voice was synonymous with an entire generation of Yankee fandom. Rest in peace, John,” WFAN wrote on X.
The Yankees shared a post on social media, with the team saying their thoughts were with his family, friends, and loved ones. A cascade of comments below the post were shared by fans and followers.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.